Throughout our storied history, many men of Regis have gone on to become men of the cloth. The July 1942 Alumni Newsletter, at the time in its 8th year of publication, published an article highlighting the first alumnus priest, Fr. John Manning '18. A reprint of that article is provided below.

Rev. John Manning '18 First Alumnus Priest

Original Publication and Date:
Regis Alumni Newsletter
Volume 8, #2  |  July 1942

A glance at the Directory of the Alumni Association will reveal the many fields of endeavor in which Regis graduates are engaging with distinction. In all walks of life we find our fellow alumni bringing credit to their Alma Mater. Regis has educated men for many professions and to one Regis man belongs the honor of being the first graduate of the school to have been ordained to the holy priesthood. It is of him that this article is written for he is the prototype of the many who have followed him in that vocation.

Father John P. Manning, at present the pastor of St. Peter's Church near Peekskill, NY, the son of the well-known Captain Thomas E. and Anna Manning, he moved to New York City and in 1907 entered St. Paul's Parochial School at 59th Street and Columbus Avenue, connected with the Paulists Fathers' Church. Possessed of a fine voice, young John Manning became a member of the famous Paulist Choir and for many years, including his high school career, served under the direction of the late Prof. Edmund G. Hurley, K.S.G.

Father Manning's classmates of the pioneer Regis graduating group remember him as quiet, earnest, popular, and a good student. In November following his graduation he entered the Paulist Fathers Novitiate and subsequently resigned to enter St. Francis Seminary, Loretto, Pennsylvania. February 27, 1926, the Most Rev. John J. McCort, late Bishop of Altoona, ordained Father Manning in the Pro-Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, in Altoona. Fr. Manning said his first Mass in St. Patrick's Church, Verplanck, his birthplace.

Following ordination, Fr. Manning was assigned to St. Mary's Parish, Altoona, Pa., as assistant. Other assignments included a year at St. Patrick's, Spangler, PA., a year at the Assumption Parish, Philadelphia. From June 1928 to December 1930, Fr. Manning served at St. Patrick's, Johnstown.

On December 12, 1930, Fr. Manning became pastor of St. Peter's Church, Somerset. Under his charge are two other nearby churches, St. Joseph's at Boswell and St. Michael's, at Listie. As Paul McFarland, a fellow classmate of Fr. Manning's at Regis, to whom we are indebted for much of the information in this article, puts it, Fr. Manning is the first 'chain store' priest in Pennsylvania.

The same qualities that characterized Fr. Manning as a student at Regis, are now reflected in his chosen vocation. Not only is he doing excellent work in his ministry, but, despite his numerous duties, he finds time to be an active and interested alumnus who has not infrequently made the trip from Pennsylvania to attend functions of the Regis Alumni Association. In every respect Fr. Manning is indeed a credit to his Alma Mater and her motto, 'Deo et Patriae'.